Reamer



A May 23, 19.33. 1 Q wRlGHT v1,909,994

BEAMER Filed sept. 21,' 1929 /Z/ ff,

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37 715 ffavfy Patented May 23, 1933 UNi/TED STATES PATENT OFFICE l JESSEC. WRIGHT, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR '.liO GLOBE OIL TOOLSCO., OF L08 NIETOS, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA.

BEAMER Application ined september 21, 1929. serial No. 394,166.

This invention relates to a well tool and relates more particularly to areamer suitable for use in the drilling of wells. It is a general objectof the invention to provide a simple, practical, and inexpensive reamerconstruction that embodies a shank and a plurality of cutter unitsdetachably secured to the shank.

It is an object of this invention to provide a reamer construction thatembodies a plurality of units including cutting parts and to providenovel, eifective, and practical means for detachably securing the unitson a shank.

It is another object of the invention to provide a rea-mer constructionof the character mentioned having means for effectively transmitting thedriving or operating strains from the shank to the cutter units.

It is another object of the invention to provide a reamer constructionin which the cutter units are securely. and dependably mounted on theshank so that there is no possibility of them becoming accidentallydetached in the well bore.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a reamer constructionof the character mentioned that is extremely simple and inexpensive ofmanufacture.

The various objects and features of my invention will be best and morefully understood from the following detailed descripvtion of a typical'form and application of the invention, throu hout which descri tionreference is had to t e accompanying rawin in which :v

Fig. 1 is aside elevation of the reamer provided by this inventionshowing it with-in a well bore. Fig. 2 is an enlarged transversedetailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 2--2 on Fig. 1. Fig.3 is an enlarged detailed transverse sectional view taken as indicatedby line 3-3 on Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detailed transversesectional View through the shank and a cutter unit, being a view takenas indicated by line 4 4 on Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detailedtransverse sectional view'taken as indicated by line 5-5 on Fig. 1. Fig.6 is a vertical detailed sectional view through thev shank portion ofthe reamer. showing the cutter units in operatingposition thereon, beinga view taken as indicated by llne 6--6 on Fig. 2, andv Fig. 7 is avertical detailed sectional view taken as indicated by lline 7-7 on Fig.4.

In accordance with the broader principles of the invention there may be.any desired number of cuttingunits, having any desired type of cuttingparts, embodied in the reamer construction. urther, any suitable type ofdrilllng bit may be mounted at the lower end of the shank of the reamer.In the following detailed description I will confine the disclosure to asimple form of the invention embodying two cutter units with a simpleform of cutting parts, and I have illustrated a typical drilling bitattached to the lower end of the construction. It is to vbe understoodthat the invention is not to be construed as limited to the specificnumber of cutter units, the particular type of cutting parts on theunits, or the type of drilling bit illustrated in the drawing, but is tobe taken as includin any features or modiications that may all withinthe scope of the claims.

The reamer construction provided by this invention includes, generally,a shank 10,-a plurality of cutter liunits, or cutter carrying units Aand B, means 11 for detachably securing the units on the shank, and adrilling bit 12 mounted on the lower end of the shank 10.

The shank 10 is provided to carry the units A and B and is adapted to beinterposed into a drilling string above `a drilling bit, either adjacentthe bit as shown in the drawing lor at any other desired point in thedrilling string. The shank 10 is preferably round in cross section andis provided with a central longitudinal water passa e or opening 13which extends complete y through it. The shank 10 consists of an upperportion 14' providedv withmeans for attachment to a string of drillpipe,r a portion 15 to carry the unit A, a portion 16 to carry the unitB and a lower ortion'l'? to which a bit, or the like, is a apted-to be'attached. The upper portion 14 may be comparatively long, as illustratedin the drawing, and 1s provided at its upper end with a tapered screwthreaded pin 18 to facilitate the attachment of t-he device to a stringof drill pipe P. An enlargement 19 is provided at the lower end of theupper portion 14.

The portion 15 is immediately below the enlargement 19 of the upperportion 14, while the portion 16 is immediately below the portion 15.The shank 10 is preferably in the forni of an integral structure so thatit may be assembled in a drilling string as a unit. The portion 15, ofthe shank 10, that carries the unit A, is somewhat smaller in diameterthan the enlargement 19, so that the. lower end of the enlargementpresents a downwardly facing shoulder 20. The `shoulder 20 is preferablyat right angles to the longitudinal axis of the shank 10. The portion 15is preferably of regular contiguration, being round in cross section.

The portion 16, which is provided to carry the unit B, is smaller indiameter than the portion 15, and the 'lower end of the portion 15presents a downwardly facing shoulder 21 at the upper end of the portion1G. The lower portion 17 of t-he shank extends downwardly from theportion 16. The lower portion 17 may be of substantially the samediameter as the portion 16 and is provided at its lower end with a screwthreaded socket 22.

The units A and B are of the same formation and construction, differingonly in size, the unit A being larger than the unit B. The unit A ismounted on the portion 15 ofthe shank and may have cutting parts adaptedto engage the formation or walls of the bore to enlarge the bore to agreater diameter than does the unit B. The units A and B include sleeves23a and -23b and cutting parts 242l and 24, respectively. The

sleeve 23a of the unit A is provided with a central longitudinal opening25 to pass the portion 15 and the up er end of the sleeve is made flatto t agalnst the shoulder 20. It is preferred that the exterior diameterof the sleeve 23u be the same as that of the enlargement 19 so that whenthe sleeve is in position on the shank it presents a continuousstructure with the enlargement. The sleeve 23a is somewhat shorter thanthe portion 15 so that there is a substantial part 27 of the portion 15between the lower end of the sleeve 23a and the shoulder 21.

The sleeve .23b of the cutter unit B is provided with a centrallongitudinal opening 28 passing the portion 16. The upper end 29 of thesleeve 23b is made flat to seat against the shoulder 21 when the unit Bis in operating position on the shank. The sleeve 23D is preferably ofthe same exterior diameter as the portion 15 so that it presents aninterrupted exterior with the portion 15.

The cutting parts 24'* and 24b of the units A and B, respectively, arepreferably of the same general character and configuration. The cuttingparts 24*l and 24", illustrated in this particular form of theinvention, are of the blade type and project laterally or substantiallyradially from the sleeves 23a and 23h. The cutting parts may besymmetrically arranged around the central axis of the shank 10; that is,they may be equally spaced around the sleeves. In the 'particular formof the invention illustrated in the drawing there are four cutting partson each sleeve. The cutting parts preferably extend vertically from theupper ends of the sleeves to their lower ends. The cutting parts of thetwo units may be in vertical alignment or may be in different rotationalpositions as desired. The cutting parts 24n bear the same proportionalrelationship to the sleeve 23i as the cutting parts 24b bear to thesleeve 23"; that is, the parts 24' are larger than the parts 24b in thesame proportion as the sleeve 23a is larger than the sleeve 23". Thecutting parts 241 and 24b being of the same construction, I will proceedwith a detailed description of a single cutter, it being understood thatthis description applies to the cutting parts of both units. Eachcutting part includes a vertical face 31 at its forward side (relativeto the rotation of the reamer during operation). The face 3l issubstantially radial; it being preferred, however, to make it extendinward and slightly rearward from its outer edge, as shown in thedrawing. The extreme outer end or edge 32 of the cutting part ispreferably comparatively narrow, as clearly illustrated throughout thedrawing. The rear side or face 33 of the cutting part is substantiallytangential to the exterior of the sleeve. The upper end 34 of thecutting part is beveled downward and outward from the upper end of thesleeve, while the lower end 35 of the part may be beveled downward andoutward from the lower end of the sleeve so that it has a portionoverhanging or projecting downward from the lower end of the sleeve.

. The means 11- for detachably securing the units A and B to the shankoperates to individually or separately attach the units to the shank 10.The means 11 for securing the unit A to shank 10 includes, generally,one or more lugs 36 on the portion 15 of the shank 10 cooperating withbayonet type openings in rthe sleeve`f23, and keys 37 to hold the lugsin the openings. In the particular form of the invention illustrated Ihave provided two lugs 36 cooperating with two diametrically oppositebayonet openings. The arrangement of the means 11 at the opposite sidesof the construction being alike, I will proceed with a detaileddescription of but one lug 36 and slot.

The lug 36 may be formed integral with the shank and projects from theportion 15 a short distance below the shoulder 20. The opening in thesleeve 23a includes a vertical passage 38 for passing the lug 36 and alateral socket 39 at the lower end of the passage for receiving the lug36. The passage 38 extends downward from the upper end of the sleeve 23aand is sufficiently large to freely pass the lug 36. The side walls oft-he passage 38 are preferably parallel and are parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the shank 10. The socket 39 is at the extreme lowerend of the passage 38 and is provided in the forward side of the passage(with relation to the direction of rotation of the tool). The forwardside 40 of the socket is preferably radial to the central axis of theshank and the forward side of the lug 36 is correspondingly shaped. Itis preferred that the rear side of the lug 36 be in direct alignmentwith the forward side of the passage 38 when the lug is in position inthersocket 39. The key 37 is provided to be arranged in the passage 38and extend downward back of the lug 36. The key 37 is formed tocompletely fill the passage 38 and is Asubstantially rectangular incross section. A groove 41 is provided in the enlargement 19 to'be inalignment with the passage 38 to allow the key to be lowered into thepassage.

The invention provides means for holding the key 37 against bothlongitudinal and lateral movement when in the passage 38. A cap screw 50provided with a lock washer 51 may be screw threaded into the groove 41at the upper end of the key 37 to prevent it from shifting verticallyupward. The key 37 may be held against lateral displacement from thepassage 38 by an enlargement 52 on the sleeve 23L which extends over thepassage 38.

The means for detachably securing the unit B to the shank 10 issubstantially the same as that just described above in connection withthe unit A; that is, the portion 16 ofthe shank is provided with one ormore lugs 36b cooperating with openings in the sleeve 23" havingvertical passages 38b and lateral sockets 39, and keys 37b to hold thelugs in the sockets 39". The keys are retained in position by cap screws50b in grooves 53 in the portion 15, and by enlargements 52b extendlngover the passages 38". It is to be particularly noted thatthe lugs 36and 36b and the sockets 39 and 39b are positioned so that the upper endsof 'the sleeves 23a and 23b fit against the shoulders 20 and 21,respectively. With this construction the upward thrusts during drillingoperations are taken by the shoulders 20 and 21.

The bit 12 may be any suitable form of bit. In the drawing, I haveillustrated a type of bit described in m copending aplication for atententitle Well bit, Serial To. 389,429, led Aug. 30, 1929. The bit 12includes, generally, a shank 60, a head 6l, cutting teeth 62 on the headand means 63 for securing thehead to the shank. The shank 60 has a pinportion 64 on its upper end screw threaded into the socket 22 in thelower end of the shank 10. Theremay be a plurality of cutting teeth 62projecting downward and slightly outward from the lower end of the head61. The bit 12 has a circulation opening extending longitudinallythrough it and discharging at the teeth 62. The means 63 for securingthe head 61 .on the shank may detachably connect the head vand shank 60and may be of the same general construction as the means 11 describedabove. The means 63 may include lugs 65 on theshank 60, seating insockets in the head and keys 66 in passages 67 to ret-ain the lugs inthe sockets.

In assembling the reamer provided by this invention the unit A is firstarranged on the portion 15 of the shank so that the lugs 36 are in thesockets 39 and the keys 37 are set in the passages 37. The unit B isthen applied to the portion 16 of the shank. When vthe units A and B arein position on the shank 10 a suitable bit may be applied to the' lowerend of the shank 10. 1With the keys 37 and 37b in position the units Aand B are dependably fixed `on the shank. When it is desired to detachthe units from the shank 10 for replacement, etc.,l the cap screws 50and 50b are removed and the keys 37 and 37b withdrawn from the passages,allowing the units to be turned and removed from the shank. It is to beparticularly noted that the driving strains are transmitted directlyfrom the shank to the` units through the lugs and that the shoulders 20and 21 receive the upward thrusts. It will be obvious that Variousnumbers of cutting units may be mounted on a shank in the mannerdescribed. Further, cutting units having cutting parts of various sizesand types may be applied to the shank, it being apparent that with thesecuring means 11 described above that the units may be simple ofconstruction and inexpensive of manufacture.

Having described only a typical preferred form of my invention I do notwish to limit myself to the specific details set forth, but wish toreserve to myself any changes or variations that may appear to thoseskilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A well reamer of the character described including, a cylindricalshank having a downwardly facing shoulder, a2cutter unit mounted on theshank and having its 'upper end bearing against the shoulder, and meansfor securing the unit on the shank including, a lug on the shankextending into an opening in theunit, and a re 5 movable part engagingthe lug to hold the lug in the opening, the shoulder being adapted toreceive the upward thrusts from the unit and the lug being adapted totake the rotative thrusts from the unit during operation.

2. A well reamer of the character described including, a cylindricalshank having a downwardly facing shoulder, a cutter unit mounted on theshank having an opening with a socket and having Lits upper end bearingagainst the shoulder, and means for securing the unitl on the shankincluding, a lug on the shank arranged in the socket, and a removablepart in the opening engaging the lug to hold the lug in the socket, theshoulder being adapted to receive the upward thrusts from the unit andthe lug being adapted to take the rotative thrusts from the unit duringoperation.

3. Avwell reamer of the character described including, a cylindricalshank having a 'lownwardly facing shoulder, a projec-. tion on theshank,an annular cutter unit surrounding the shank and having its upper endbearing against the shoulder, and having a passage to admit theprojection and .a socket in communication with the passage to receivethe projection, and a key in the passage engaging the projection to holdthe"""p1;ojection in the socket, the shoulder bein adapted to receivethe upward thrusts.. rom the unit and the projection being adaptedto'take the rotative thrusts during operation.

4. A well reamer of the character described including,a cylindricalshank hav-` ing a downwardly facing shoulder, a projection on the shank,an annular cutter unit surrounding the shank and havingits upper endbearing against the shoulder, and having a passage to admit theprojection and a socket in communication with the passage to receive theprojection, a key in the passage engaging the projection to hold theprojection in the socket, and means retaining the key in the passage,the shoulder being adapted to receive the upward thrusts from the unitand the projection being. adapted to take the rotative thrusts duringoperation.

5. A well reamer of thecharacter described includinfr, a cylindricalshank hav-1 ing a downwardly facing shoulder, a projection on the shank,the cutter unit having an opening passing the shank, a passage to admitthe projection and a lateral socket communicating with the passage toreceive the projection and having its upper end bearing against theshoulder, and a remov- 65 able key in the passage behind the projectionand engaging the projection to hold the projection in the socket, theshoulder being adapted to receive the upward thrusts from the unit andthe projection being adapted to take the rotative thrusts duringoperation.

6. A well reamer of the character described includin a cylindrical shankhaving a downwar ly facing shoulder, a lateral projection on theshank, acutter unit having an opening passing the shank, a passage to admit theprojection, a lateral socket at the forward side of the passage toreceive the projection and havin its upper end bearing against the shouler, a removable part in the passage engaging the projection to hold theprojection in the socket, and means retaining the part in the passage,the shoulder being adapted to receive the upward thrusts rom the unitand the projection being adapted to take the rotative thrustsv duringoperation.

7. A well reamer of the character described including, a shank havingcylindrical portions of successively smaller diameter and downwardlyfacing shoulders be- `tweenthe adjoining portions, a lateral projectlonon each portion, a cutter unit on each portion having its upper endbearing against a shoulder, each unit having an opening passing a.portion of the shank, a passage to admit the projection and a socket inthe passage to receive the projection, a removable part in each passageengaging a projection to hold the projection in the socket, and 100means retaining the parts inthe passages.

8. A Well reamer including, a cylindrical shank, a. projection on theshank, a ycutter unit havlng an opening passing the shank,

a jiassage to admit the projection, and a 105 soc et 1n communicationwith the passage to receive the projection, and a removable part in thepassage engagingthe rojection to hold it in the socket, and an enargement on the shank immediately above the unit, 11 the unit bearingupwardly against the said enlargement.

In Witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto. subscribed myname this 4th day of September, 1929.

JESSE C. WRIGHT.

